Project Grant 5131DS099

The Housing & Community Development Virginia Department Of, a state government entity, received a $18,330,732.47 federal Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the State Digital Equity Planning and Capacity Grant Program (CFDA 11.032). The purpose of this grant is to implement the Virginia Digital Equity Plan, which was previously developed through an NTIA State Digital Equity Planning Grant. The key activities to be performed under this award include: 1) a digital skills, literacy, and distribution program; 2) a digital opportunity resource tool; and 3) digital opportunity awareness initiatives. The expected outcomes are to improve digital skills for Virginia's unserved and underserved populations, establish a statewide online resource hub of digital access programs, and increase awareness of digital resources throughout the Commonwealth. The department plans to sub-award funds to local governments and non-profit organizations to carry out these digital equity and inclusion activities across Virginia. The grant performance period runs from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2029.